Abstract: A steering system for a skid steered vehicle has a variable-speed steering motor, and an asymmetrical steering differential operatively connected to the steering motor and rotatably mounted on a first side of the chassis separately from the propulsion system. The steering differential has a first differential shaft and a second differential shaft, where the asymmetrical differential imparts a greater speed change on the second differential shaft than the first differential shaft. The first differential shaft is connected to a first steering output shaft operatively connected to at least one ground-engaging element on the first side of the vehicle. A speed reducer mounted fixedly on the chassis connects the second differential shaft to a second steering output shaft operatively connected to at least one ground-engaging element on the second side of the vehicle so that the second steering output shaft experiences the same speed change but in an opposite rotational direction as the first steering output shaft.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating to an initial optimized baseline solution to a multi-objective problem. As the initial optimized baseline solution is determined, some regions, such as local or global maxima, minima, and/or saddle points in the objective space may be mapped. The mapping may be performed by storing mesh chromosomes corresponding to some of the features (e.g., extrema, saddle points, etc.) in the objective space along with the location of those chromosomes within the objective space (e.g., objective values corresponding to each of the objectives). The mesh chromosome may be used in subsequent re-optimization problems, such as with reformulation. Although in a re-optimization the objectives, decision variables, and or objective/constraint models may change, the mesh chromosomes may still provide information and direction for more quickly and/or with reduced resources converge on a re-optimized solution.

Abstract: A touch sensor for a cursor control device includes a support layer, a first printed layer, and a second printed layer. The support layer includes a first surface and a second surface opposite from the first surface. The first printed layer includes a first conductive ink and is printed on the first surface of the support layer. The first printed layer includes a printed surface opposite from the support layer, and the printed surface of the first printed layer defines a touch area of the touch sensor. The second printed layer includes a second conductive ink and is printed on the printed surface of the first printed layer. The second printed layer is electrically connected to the first printed layer and forms a border around the touch area.

Abstract: Interior panels for interiors of vehicles, vehicles, and methods for making interior panels for interiors of vehicles are provided. In one example, the interior panel includes an outer covering having a first surface. A second surface is disposed opposite the first surface. The second surface has a pattern formed therein that is hidden from the first surface. A light source is operative to generate light and is disposed adjacent to the second surface generally aligned with the pattern. When the light source generates light, an illuminated pattern corresponding to the pattern is visible on the first surface. A capacitive sensor is configured to generate a capacitance change signal in response to change in capacitance of the capacitive sensor. A controller is in communication with the capacitive sensor to receive the capacitance change signal and is configured to generate a command signal in response to the capacitance change signal.

Abstract: A reconfigurable QKD transceiver capable of transmitting and/or receiving qubits using a single optical hardware platform. This reconfigurable QKD transceiver enables various link scenarios specially for LEO-ground network, where the satellites have limited engagement time with a ground station. The reconfigurable QKD transceiver may reduce the optics SWaP by 50 percent and may allow for new mission scenarios that were otherwise not feasible with a transmitter only architecture or receiver only architecture.

Abstract: A tool for adjusting an orientation of a nose landing gear of an aircraft is disclosed herein. The nose landing gear has an axle to which a wheel is mounted. The axle has an opening extending therethrough. The opening is defined by an inner surface of the axle. The tool includes, but is not limited to, a unitary member having a handle portion at a first end of the unitary member and an axle-engaging portion at a second end of the unitary member. The handle portion is configured for engagement with a hand of an operator. The axle-engaging portion is configured to be inserted into the opening and to engage with the inner surface.

Abstract: An optical motion sensor includes a substrate, a whispering-gallery-mode-based optical resonator disposed on the substrate, a mass-spring-damper system disposed on the substrate proximate to a first side of the whispering-gallery-mode-based optical resonator, and a waveguide or optical fiber. The whispering-gallery-mode-based optical resonator has a substantially circular cross-section. A gap separates an end of the mass-spring-damper system from the whispering-gallery-mode-based optical resonator. The waveguide or optical fiber abuts a second side of the whispering-gallery-mode-based optical resonator that is substantially opposite to the first side.

Abstract: Systems and vehicle are provided. A vehicle system for a vehicle includes: a trajectory selection module configured to select a potential vehicle path relative to a current vehicle movement condition; a trajectory movement condition module configured to estimate a modeled movement condition of the vehicle along the potential vehicle path; a limit comparison module configured to determine whether the modeled movement condition violates vehicle limits; and a violation indicator module configured to generate an indication of impending violation.

Abstract: A system and method for periodically varying a center frequency for assured time transfer in order to securely transfer a signal from a source to a receiver, without adding additional encryption to signal.

Abstract: The aircraft threat envelope protection system employs a threat envelope data structure in a computer-readable medium that stores at least one trigger condition for each of a plurality of different types of threats associated with the aircraft, and modeled using a common schema. A processor computes plural different projected trajectories representing different possible aircraft paths through spacetime. The processor associates at least some of the plurality of the threats to specific trigger points in spacetime along each of the projected trajectories. The processor will deprecate ones of the projected trajectories when they are deemed not viable to recover from a threat. The processor initiates an aircraft protective response when all projected trajectories but one have been deprecated and the aircraft is within a predetermined proximity to the closest trigger point in spacetime along the non-deprecated trajectory.

Abstract: Interior panels for an interior of a vehicle, vehicles, and methods for making interior panels for an interior of a vehicle are provided. In one example, the interior panel includes an outer covering having a first surface exposed to the interior and a second surface disposed opposite the first surface. The second surface has a pattern formed therein that is covered by the first surface. A board assembly is disposed proximate the second surface and has a third surface facing towards the second surface. The board assembly includes a light source that is generally aligned with the pattern. An adhesive layer is disposed between the second surface and the third surface and couples the second surface and the third surface together. When the light source generates light, the light passes through the adhesive layer and the pattern to produce an illuminated pattern on the first surface.

Abstract: A flight guidance panel for an aircraft includes a subpanel display, a joystick, rotary encoders, a deflection sensor, and a processor. The subpanel display indicates autopilot modes and flight value goals and has a top-level state and a subpanel control state. The joystick is for user interaction with the subpanel display. The rotary encoder is coupled with the joystick to receive rotation inputs from a user of the joystick. The deflection sensor is coupled with the joystick to detect a deflection input from the user of the joystick. The processor is programmed to: change a state of the subpanel display to the subpanel control state corresponding to a selected subpanel in response to receiving the deflection input while the subpanel display is in the top-level state; and change the flight value goals in response to receiving the rotation inputs while the subpanel display is in the subpanel control state.

Abstract: A tree structure represents a terrain area as nested polygons organized in a parent-child relationship, each polygon associated to a specific geographic location. The tree structure defines at least one parent node and a plurality of child nodes, some being leaf nodes containing a height value. A processor uses a distance measure to change the tree structure topology assessing whether all leaf node children of a first parent node lie outside a predetermined distance from an aircraft runway, and if so, converting the first parent node into a leaf node by storing in the first parent node a height value representing the greatest of the respective height values of the leaf node children and by removing the leaf node children; and iteratively repeating for each remaining parent node until it has been determined that every remaining parent node in the data structure cannot be pruned without violating accuracy requirements.

Abstract: A method of detecting a potato virus in a crop image depicting at least one potato plant includes storing the crop image in a memory, identifying a first region of the crop image depicting potato plant leaves, identifying a plurality of edges within the first region, determining whether an image segment of the crop image within the first region satisfies one or more leaf creasing criteria symptomatic of leaf creasing caused by the virus based on the edges that are located within the image segment, determining whether the image segment satisfies one or more color criteria symptomatic of discoloration caused by the virus, and determining whether the segment displays symptoms of potato virus based on whether the image segment satisfies one or more of the leaf creasing criteria and the color criteria. A system and computer readable medium are also disclosed.

Abstract: Cell-based systems may interlock in a reconfigurable configuration to support a mission. Space systems, for example, of a relatively large size may be assembled using an ensemble of individual “cells”, which are individual space vehicles. The cells may be held together via magnets, electromagnets, mechanical interlocks, etc. The topology or shape of the joined cells may be altered by cells hopping, rotating, or “rolling” along the joint ensemble. The cells may be multifunctional, mass producible units. Rotation of cell faces, or of components within cells, may change the functionality of the cell. The cell maybe collapsible for stowage or during launch.

Abstract: Embedded antennas in integrated circuits, and methods of making and using the same, are provided herein. An integrated circuit within a semiconductor die may include a control circuit; an antenna configured to wirelessly receive a control signal at a predefined frequency; and an interconnect configured to provide the received control signal from the antenna to the control circuit. The control circuit may be configured to control a function of the integrated circuit responsive to the received control signal.

Abstract: Aircraft anti-collision systems, anti-collision methods, and aircraft with anti-collision systems and methods are provided. A method including transmitting, by a light emitter, a first light pulse proximate to a wing edge at a first time, detecting, by a light detector, a reflection of the first light pulse at a second time, determining, by a processor, a distance from a first object to the wing edge in response to the first time and the second time, calculating, by the processor, a possible contact occurrence in response to the distance and an aircraft velocity, and controlling a user interface with the processor to generate a user alert in response to the possible contact occurrence.

Abstract: The aircraft intercom employs beam steerable microphone arrays and speaker arrays deployed in each of a plurality of zones within the aircraft. A speech recognizer generates recognition text from utterances picked up by the microphone arrays. A direction control processor analyzes the arrival time of signals from the microphone arrays to identify utterance location, which is then used to control the beam direction of at least one steerable speaker array. A dialogue manager processor coupled to the speech recognizer and to each of the plurality of microphone arrays and plurality of speaker arrays responds to a set of predefined keywords to selectively route a voiced communication from a first selected zone to a second selected zone using the microphone array and speaker array disposed in each of the first and second selected zones.

Abstract: Systems and aircraft are provided. An avionics system includes a storage device and one or more data processors. The storage device stores instructions for monitoring an actual performance of the aircraft. The one or more data processors are configured to execute the instructions to: determine a first measured value of a flight characteristic of the aircraft at a first position of the aircraft; execute at least one flight maneuver between the first position and a second position of the aircraft; generate a predicted energy change between the first position and the second position based on the at least one flight maneuver and an energy state model; determine a second measured value of the flight characteristic of the aircraft at the second position; and generate an adjustment to the energy state model based on the first measured value, the second measured value, and the predicted energy change.

Abstract: An aircraft propulsion system includes an engine. The propulsion system further includes an inlet having a forward cowl lip and an aft cowl lip. The forward cowl lip moves between retracted and deployed positions. The forward cowl lip is adjacent to the aft cowl lip when retracted. The forward cowl lip is spaced apart from the aft cowl lip when deployed. The forward cowl lip has a smaller radius of curvature than the aft cowl lip. The propulsion system further includes a controller coupled with the engine and inlet. The controller restricts the maximum thrust commanded position of the engine when the aircraft is on the ground and moving below a predetermined speed. The controller lifts the restriction when the aircraft is moving at at least the predetermined speed. The controller controls the inlet to deploy the cowl lip when the aircraft is on the ground.